It’s Banned Books Week!!!!!
So, it totally stinks that people want to ban books but I love that we can celebrate these books too! So, in honor of banned books week I thought I’d share a few of my favorites. These are books (and reasons) I pulled from ALA’s Frequently Challenged Books.
Anything by Chris Crutcher
This man is one of my all time favorite authors ever. His books are frequently challenged. He is very vocal about censorship and pretty much one of my heroes!
Athletic Shorts
Challenged for: homosexuality and offensive language
Whale Talk
Challenged for: racism, offensive language
The Absolutely True Diary of a Part Time Indian by Sherman Alexie
This book gets to my students who have never before finished a book. It’s amazing.
Challenged for: offensive language; racism; religious viewpoint; sexually explicit; unsuited to age group
To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
I’ve heard a lot of debate about this one… but that’s kind of the point. Let’s talk about these things!
Challenged for: offensive language, racism, unsuited to age group
Harry Potter by J.K. Rowling
Anti-family?!?! Really people? Did you read the book??? I’m a Christian and I adore these books. I see no conflict.
Challenged for: anti-family, occult/Satanism, religious viewpoint, violence
The Earth, My Butt, and Other Big Round Things by Carolyn Mackler
If you’ve not read this one you really should. I love it. Obviously the title is what got me to pick it up 🙂
Challenged for: offensive language, sexually explicit, unsuited to age group
The Hunger Games
You will never sell me on any of these reasons. Yes, it is violent but it has a purpose to the story. Also, I have to say that I do understand people not wanting it to be required reading in early middle school. Still, that isn’t a reason to totally ban it!
Challenged for: anti-ethnic; anti-family; insensitivity; offensive language; occult/satanic; violence
The Perks of Being a Wallflower
I read this one for a college class. Now I totally want to go see the movie. I’ve heard such great things.
Challenged for: anti-family, drugs, homosexuality, offensive language, religious viewpoint, sexually explicit, suicide, unsuited to age group
Looking for Alaska by John Green
This one wasn’t on the ALA list I was looking at but I know that it has been challenged. You should watch John Green’s video about it. I watch it every year about this time. It’s kind of like watching Charlie Brown at Halloween or Christmas… a must! 🙂
Challenged for: sexually explicit; unsuited to age group
So yeah. You really need to read these. SO GOOD!
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